Eminent Farmer
County: McPherson
Albert C. Hauffe, a Chicagoan sidetracked in South Dakota on his way “to make his fortune in Winnipeg,” was captivated by South Dakota farm life, friendly people and warm hospitality and has been at Leola ever since.
Hauffe, recipient of the 1970 Eminent Farmer award, came to South Dakota from Chicago in 1914 at the age of 17, but stopped on his way to Winnipeg to work on an uncle’s farm. He completed the trip to Winnipeg 32 years later—on vacation.
When Mr. and Mrs. Hauffe married almost 50 years ago, they began on rented land with a half dozen cows and six horses. Albert became active in rural affairs because he felt his fate was tied up in the prosperity of the entire community.
He is president of F.E.M. Electric Association, past president of South Dakota Rural Electric Association and National Rural Electric Co-op Association. As a leader interested in rural development, Hauffe has discussed rural electric and national resources problems with President Kennedy at the White House on several occasions and with President Johnson on two occasions.
The Hauffe’s reared three children on their 640-acre farm: Paul, 43, in Washington, D.C., with the Bureau of Reclamation; Harry, 38, in Casper, Wyoming, business agent for the Iron Workers Union; and Clarence (Ruth) Bonnett, 41, an Aberdeen homemaker.
Hauffe’s community contributions include: membership on the board of directors of the South Dakota Wheat Growers Association (since 1928); director, Leola Equity Exchange, 1933-38; incorporator of Dakota Electric; board of director of F.E.M. since 1947; chairman of SDREA since 1949; member, board of directors of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association since 1949; and incorporator of Aberdeen Production Credit Association in 1933.
He also was cited in 1956 as South Dakota’s “Man of the Year” for REA, received a golden anniversary medal from the Federal Land Bank for contributions to American agriculture, a certificate of appreciation for assisting Radio Free Europe and was honorary chapter farmer member of national FFA.